The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1887-07-07

you that this spontaneous movement
of the Philadelphia brigade, in rendering
this reception has the cordial, practical
support of our citizens of all classes and
pursuits of life. And now, it remains for
me 10 say to you, the men of PicBett's
division, by authority of this Brigade as
ISOLATION and its friends, that we desire
that you will honor US during your stay
at Gettysburg by becoming our guests.
We welcome you because you were brave
soldiers in war. We welcome you because
you are true citizens in peace, and may
our banner stay here, and be one
bond of pleasure to each of us. 1t
is such fraternal greetings that
shall guide rs to higher resolves
for the perpstuity of the constitution and
union; to 3 manly determination, as citl-
zens, to meet conscientiously and in the
fear of God the questions and issues of
the hour, and to such an abiding faith
in the magnificent destiny of the republic
as will lead each of US to trust in the
Almighty Being who spoke from the
cloud and the pillar of fire to the leader
of Israel, saying, Speak to the children
of Israel, that they may go forward,
and who to-day is calling us by His provl-
dence to higher and nobler achievements
in the cause of humanity, of the govern
ment and of the people"
THE PICKETT VETERANS.
Upon behalf of the Pickett veterans
Capt. G. P. Reeves, of Richmond, COM
mander of Pickett's division association,
responded as follows:
"Friends and Comrades desire for
myself and comrades to tender you heart
felt thanks for the cordial and hearty well
come which has come to US on this occa-
sion, never to be forgotten by US, but one
remembered as bright spot
in the checkered pathway of life. If the re-
marks which desire to make on a sub
ject on which 1 have thought much and
felt deeply, I should be led to say some
things which might be better left unsaid,
attribute them to the warmth of my feel
ings on the subject. Perhaps some of
you may have seen an article
in the New York Herald on
the subject of union monument
to be built on spot selected by Hancock's
and Pickett's divisions, which should be
national in its character and not neces-
sarily commemorative of any particular
division of either army, but to the mem
DRY of the dead of both armies; monu-
ment of American valor and magnanimity
monument which would stand as a
pledge of perpetual union, by which we
unite in doing honor to our dead; q
pledge of perpetual recognition; a
stone whose shaft shall point upward
calling upon heaven to witness our recon.
| ranauaH nnUanQnt that
neither of us would ever pass it to harm the
, other, and saying, in the language of
Scripture: "The Lord watch between
7 thee and u.s." And what shall 1 say for
those of my comrades endeared by pri-
vations, who shared hardships and endured
dangers? Scarcely is there battlefield
from Bull Run to Appomattox on which
, some one dear to me did not crown with
their lives their devotion to their native
, state. Dear comrades, honored as men
, loved as companions-cold in death-will
my heart be dead ere 1 cease to love anG
) honor you! Yet my heart is large enough
(. to embrace my whole country, from the
, Atlantic to the Pacific, from the Gulf to
the lakes, to rejoice in her prosperity, tc
, glory in her greatness, to feel thrill of
pride when her course is as glorious as
her might is resistless; when her magma
| nimity equals her power. And to you,
gentlemen of Gettysburg, let me
say this is an opportunity to
display magnanimity worthy
of this great nation. Leave to time-tht
l tombstone which tries all human action
the question of right and wrong involved
l let the future historian, probably yet I'M
born, try the cause and posterity will rem
3 der verdict which is apt to be just
7 To them let US leave it. The wars
r deeds have been done; its drama closed
. but for our country there remains a fu
J ture. We, too, are making history. I
this occasion, being in the interest o
D peace and reconciliation, will fill brigh
page in that history, with what lustr
n would that one shine which would he re
s union national in its character-in whicl
l should be buried all rancor and hatred
Q from which we could go forth, not merel
! as citizens, but as friends and brothers
Q animated by one aim, greatness an
, glory to our common country
f aGopt in its true spirit the union monu
u ment suggested and with magnanimit
9 broad enough to embrace our whole coun
Q try; deep enough to bury in oblivion tn
: bitterness and hate of past strife, built
g on the spot suggested a monument t.
n immortalize American valor and demon
# strate American magnanimity Let tn
I whole country join with the ma
Q tlonal government, and ever
I state in the union complete it i
g possible by the twenty-fifth anniversar
: of the battle. Send out your invitations
It and my word for it Gettysburg will wit
S ness such gathering as the whole worl
has seldom seen. Its hills and its valley
dotted with white tents, not filled wit
:. angry combatantss ready to hurl eac
:. other to destruction, but, with the highes
o type of American manhood, ready to joi
!, hands in true and hearty reconciliation
4 which shall make us again reunited an
e happy people. Do this, and write tn
" name of American higher on tn
i" roll of true fame than 20
. could have done had you been able t
- write yourself victorious on every battl
y field of the war. cannot but believe the
:. this suggestion will commend itself t
= good men everywhere in our broad lan'
"a and, if properly carried out, will do NOR
to restore true friendship in the section
than any other one thing which could /
done. Let us, my coudtrymen, embrac